WorkSafeBC: Young workers may hesitate to raise safety concerns

1 Fish 2 Fish Fresh Seafood Market, Owner Heather Jenkins discussing worker health and safety. Zayne Langford (young worker, grey t-shirt) Emily Strutinksi (young worker, grey t-shirt, braided hair) Sydney Walsh (young worker, blue t-shirt, blonde with glasses) Madison Hunter (young worker, blue sweatshirt, hair in a bun)
Every year, nearly 7,000 young workers are injured in B.C. As summer brings thousands of youth into seasonal jobs, WorkSafeBC is launching a new campaign encouraging them to ask their boss — not AI — when they have questions about workplace safety.
  • WorkSafeBC’s new Before You Ask a Bot, Ask Your Boss campaign encourages young workers to speak with a supervisor before starting an unfamiliar or potentially unsafe task.
  • Research shows many young workers are turning to AI tools and chatbots for answers. While AI can be helpful for general information, it can’t assess the hazards, equipment, or procedures in a specific workplace.
  • The campaign also reminds employers that fostering a workplace where questions are encouraged and safety concerns are welcomed is essential to preventing injuries and keeping young workers safe.

Employers urged to strengthen training, supervision, and workplace culture to reduce risk

With many employers hiring seasonal staff during the summer months, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers that young and new workers remain at higher risk of workplace injury during their first months on the job.

In 2025, WorkSafeBC accepted more than 7,000 claims from young workers who were injured on the job in B.C. Between 2021 and 2025, 18 young workers lost their lives due to workplace incidents.

WorkSafeBC’s research has consistently shown that while young workers value safety and want to do a good job, many hesitate to speak up about unsafe work. New research from WorkSafeBC identifies why: the barrier is often less about recognizing hazards and more about feeling confident and able to raise concerns in the moment, particularly when workers are concerned about job security or how they will be perceived.

“Young workers often recognize when something isn’t right, but that doesn’t always mean they feel comfortable saying so,” says Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “Young workers focus on making a good impression, which can make it harder to ask questions, raise concerns, or refuse unsafe work. Creating a workplace culture where questions are welcomed and concerns are taken seriously supports young workers and is critical to preventing injuries.”

Every worker has the right to know about workplace hazards, participate in health and safety, and refuse unsafe work, Effective risk management depends on workers being encouraged to identify hazards, assess risks, and help develop controls.

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Employer responsibilities

Under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, employers must ensure all workers, including young and new workers, receive job site orientation and role-specific training before they begin work. Employers must also provide ongoing supervision to ensure workers can perform their jobs safely and effectively. Training should reflect the tasks and hazards of the role and be reinforced over time.

“Young workers bring different levels of experience and familiarity with workplace hazards. Employers should tailor orientation, training, and supervision to the individual worker rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, which can leave gaps that increase risk,” says McDonald. 

Young workers who feel their concerns haven’t been addressed can contact WorkSafeBC’s Prevention Information Line at 1‑888‑621‑7233 to speak confidentially with a prevention officer.

Resources

Worksafebc.com offers a range of free resources to help young workers, parents, and employers build strong safety habits, including online tools, orientation checklists, and classroom-ready materials.

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